In an attempt to make basic social science education more responsive to the needs of students in a rapidly changing society, the authors developed and conducted an experimental course entitled "Economics and Politics in a Changing Society" (EPICS). The goals of this course include improvement in thinking ability and creativeness, progress in communicativeness, expansion of knowledge, and the cultivation of feelings. The course attempts to reach these goals through self-directed learning and social problem solving. This paper explains in-depth reasons for suggesting an alternative to the traditional introductory curriculum, reasons related to the changing character of contemporary society and changing orientations toward the learning process. The reason a course such as EPICS is inconsistent with the traditional value structure of the university and the social sciences is examined. Lastly, it is suggested that EPICS as education for liberation might provide a model for the radical reconstruction of social science education at the university level. (Author/DE)

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